Jaguar Conservation
Coordinator | Graeme
Coordinator | Graeme
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Live and work at a research station in the middle of a Costa Rican national park.
Visit an incredibly jaguar-dense area and one of the only locations in the world where jaguars are known to prey on adult sea turtles.
Contribute to jaguar research by setting up and checking camera traps in the rainforest.
Observe Costa Rican wildlife species in their natural habitats, including sea turtles on the Carribean beach, and monkeys, neo-tropical birds, and amphibians in the canopies above rainforest canals.
Explore the rainforest by canoe and walk the pristine Caribbean beaches.
Work on critical conservation efforts focused on Jaguars and Sea Turtles within the Cahuita National park.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
Join this conservation program based in the heart of the Cahuita National park, home to endangered sea turtles; jaguars and a plethora of fauna and flora. As a volunteer you will be given the opportunity to work alongside highly esteemed conservation organizations such as Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Panthera, Coastal Jaguar Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy. You will be working on a diverse range of projects dependent on season, you could be working on biodiversity surveys; tracking and camera trapping of Jaguars and beach walks to record data on nesting turtles. A large part of the research conducted is focused on the behavior of the Jaguars as they prey on the Sea Turtles within the National Park, one of the only places in the world where you can study this phenomenon. As a volunteer you may also be responsible for data input activities. This program includes an optional Wildlife Conservation online courses which must be completed in order to obtain a certificate offered in partnership with the University of Richmond in the United States.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Hotspots
Jaguar Conservation
Leatherback Turtle
National Park
Peruvian Jaguar
Mexican Jaguar
Pantanal Jaguar
Hawksbill Turtle
Typical day
Some patrols are conducted in the morning or at night meaning you have the opportunity to encounter breathtaking sunrises and sunsets in the Caribbean.
Participants are expected to remain flexible as project work changes based on weather as well as needs of our project partners.
Estimated Schedule:
- 5 or 6am: Wake up call
- 6 - 10 am: First Survey
- 12pm: Lunch
- 1pm - 4pm: Second Survey
- 6pm: Dinner
- 9pm: Bed Time
Unless you are scheduled on a Night Time turtle patrol which are from 9pm - 2am.
Free-time activities
Joining this program not only allows you to collaborate with communities or work toward preserving unique ecosystems – but it also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area or travel further to see what other parts of the region have to offer over weekends. Field staff are a great source of advice and have helped us put together the following information on local travel options: - Go Snorkeling in the Cahuita National Park - Visit a sloth Sanctuary - White water rafting over the rapids of the Pacuare River. - Visit Puerto Viejo, one of Costa Rica's more popular beach destinations. We also now include cultural/local experiences. These experiences will take place once every 4 weeks. These activities may include: - Learn to pick and husk a coconut - Visit the world's oldest sea turtle research group - Meditate on the beach at sunrise - Take a jungle night walk and frog watch - Canoe along jungle river canals at dawn - Stargaze and learn the northern constellations - Hike an extinct volcano, Cerro Tortuguero - Visit a sustainable chocolate farm
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (fluently)
required
CV professionally translated into Spanish, Passport copy, Professional passport sized photo and Medical Form
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No specific skills required, all training is provided online 8 weeks prior to program start through self paced training materials.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
What's Included
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 24-hour emergency phone
- 24-hour in-country support
- Access to Alumni Services and Discounts
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- Camera trap use
- First Aid & CPR training
- GPS training
- Location orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Meals while on project (except on work placements for long term internships)
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- Scientific techniques in collection of biometric data, transect work, incidental observation, tourist and human impact surveys, camera trapping and, track identification
- Transfer to rainforest location
- Tropical forest ecology
- Welcome meeting
- Wildlife identification skills
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- Flights
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Medical and travel insurance
- Personal items and toiletries
- Police or background check
- Visa costs (where necessary)
Airport pick ups are provided at Juan Santamaria International Airport, these are within a specified time period.
Our program is based in the center of the Cahuita National Park which is a key conservation area for endangered sea turtles and jaguars.
Our base is basic, being a research station and has been created to be sustainable and have as little impact on the environment as possible.
Accommodation facilities are shared dormitories and can be considered basic.
Our base has an organic garden which supplies fresh food ingredients, meals are mostly vegetarian.
Volunteers take it turn to prepare meals for the team.
Sorry, no access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
2022
- 19 Feb 2022
- 05 Mar 2022
- 19 Mar 2022
- 02 Apr 2022
- 16 Apr 2022
- 30 Apr 2022
- 14 May 2022
- 28 May 2022
- 11 Jun 2022
- 25 Jun 2022
- 09 Jul 2022
- 23 Jul 2022
- 06 Aug 2022
- 20 Aug 2022
- 03 Sep 2022
- 17 Sep 2022
- 01 Oct 2022
- 15 Oct 2022
- 29 Oct 2022
- 12 Nov 2022
- 26 Nov 2022
2023
- 18 Feb 2023
- 04 Mar 2023
- 18 Mar 2023
- 01 Apr 2023
- 15 Apr 2023
- 29 Apr 2023
- 13 May 2023
- 27 May 2023
- 10 Jun 2023
- 24 Jun 2023
- 08 Jul 2023
- 22 Jul 2023
- 05 Aug 2023
- 19 Aug 2023
- 02 Sep 2023
- 16 Sep 2023
- 30 Sep 2023
- 14 Oct 2023
- 28 Oct 2023
- 11 Nov 2023
- 25 Nov 2023
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$3,522
4 weeks
$4,362
6 weeks
$5,258
8 weeks
$6,322
10 weeks
$7,218
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$8,058
Average fees
$1,216
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
GVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Jaguar Conservation
Work on critical conservation efforts focused on Jaguars and Sea Turtles within the Cahuita National park.
$1086/week
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